Ai Weiwei’s ‘Zodiac Heads’ Land in the Hamptons After Global Tour

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Summary

  • Ai Weiwei’s “Zodiac Heads: Gold” is on view at BlackBook, Southampton through Sept 31
  • The series reinterprets looted 18th-century zodiac sculptures

Following trips to over thirty cities globally, Ai Weiwei’s “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads: Gold” (2010) has come back to New York, its initial showcase city. These renowned sculptures are now displayed at the group exhibition “Mother Nature in the Bardo“, hosted by BlackBook and can be viewed in Southampton until September 31.

In 2011, Ai Weiwei’s most significant piece titled “Zodiac Heads:Large Bronze” was unveiled at the Pulitzer Fountain. This piece received praise when it was officially presented by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, alongside notable artists like Julian Schnabel and Shirin Neshat. Interestingly, Weiwei himself could not be present for the launch as he was detained by Chinese authorities a month earlier, and he wasn’t able to obtain a passport for the next four years.

This series creatively retells the story of 18th-century zodiac statues that originally decorated a fountain during the Qing dynasty, until they were taken by French and British troops in 1860. Ai’s artwork reinterprets these historical artifacts, delving into themes such as cultural appropriation, originality, and restitution. In addition to Ai Weiwei, Mother Nature in the Bardo showcases pieces by artists like Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and others.

Starting in September, Ai Weiwei’s “Zodiac Heads (Bronze)” will take its place at Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park, curated by the Seattle Art Museum. Consisting of 12 imposing sculptures that reinterpret stolen Qing dynasty zodiac statues, they will be arranged in a semi-circle within Ackerley Meadow.

Mother Nature in the Bardo
245 Country Road 39
Southampton, NY 11968

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2025-07-21 20:26